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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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How It Works • Esports

Faker (gamer)

Lee Sang-hyeok, known professionally as Faker, is a South Korean professional League of Legends player who has played for T1 since 2013.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Lee Sang-hyeok, known as Faker, is a South Korean professional League of Legends player widely regarded as the greatest esports player of all time. He has played for T1 since 2013 and continues to dominate as a mid laner.

Who is Faker?

Faker is the in-game name of Lee Sang-hyeok, born 7 May 1996 in Seoul, South Korea. He signed with SK Telecom T1 (now T1) in 2013 at age 17 after gaining attention for his solo queue skills. He has remained with the team ever since, playing as a mid laner.

Why he matters

Faker is famous for his exceptional skill, longevity, and multiple world titles. He has won League of Legends World Championships in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2024, and 2025, along with numerous LCK and Mid-Season Invitational titles. Fans and media often call him the "GOAT" and the "Unkillable Demon King."

Key details

Faker has spent his entire professional career with T1, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in esports. His sustained success over more than a decade has earned him multiple MVP and player-of-the-year honours, cementing his legacy as a central figure in gaming culture.

In short

  • Faker is a South Korean League of Legends mid laner for T1 since 2013.
  • He has won six World Championships (2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2024, 2025).
  • Widely considered the greatest League of Legends player of all time.
  • Known for his longevity, consistency, and impact on esports.

Quick questions

Who is Faker?
Faker is the in-game name of Lee Sang-hyeok, a South Korean professional League of Legends player for T1.
What role does Faker play?
He is best known as a mid laner in League of Legends.
Why is Faker famous?
He is famous for his exceptional skill, long-term dominance, and multiple world titles in League of Legends.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faker_(gamer)
    Supports: Real name, birth year, early reputation, and signing with SKT/T1 in 2013.
  2. The Chosun Daily — https://www.chosun.com/english/people-en/2024/11/04/TKTRBJDGO5D3DDIFU5P65X2JQM/
    Supports: Recent world title and description as a leading esports figure.
  3. Red Bull — https://www.redbull.com/us-en/faker-t1-league-of-legends-profile
    Supports: Career overview, reputation, and status as one of the all-time greats.
  4. Escharts — https://www.escharts.com/players/faker-south-korea
    Supports: Player profile, team affiliation, birth date, and tournament earnings.